Hathaway-Sycamores Youth Play the Altadena Sheriffs Station in Friendly Basketball Tournament

From STAFF REPORTS

11:53 am | August 6, 2018

Hathaway-Sycamores held the 3rd Annual Youth vs. Altadena Sheriffs Basketball Game at its El Nido Residential Campus in Altadena, thanks to the generous support of volunteer group, Las Candelas. Youth teams went head-to-head with the sheriffs for some friendly competition as they were cheered on by enthusiastic attendees.

The tournament is intended to give the youth living on campus an opportunity to get to know law enforcement officials, and to view them as allies providing a support system, rather than perceiving them as an intimidating presence.

Assemblymember Christopher Holden was present to give a warm welcome and to hand out plaques of recognition to key supporters, “This tournament is for a good cause, and recognizes the great accomplishments and the wonderful community partnership between Hathaway-Sycamores and our LA County Sheriff’s Department.”

The shared experience of competing on the basketball court built camaraderie that continued off the court when attendees got to know each other over delicious tacos prepared by Los Tacos. Youth had the chance to ask questions of the group, share about themselves, and create lasting connections with law enforcement in their community.

Others in attendance included Christian Daly, a representative from the office of Supervisor Kathryn Barger, representatives from law enforcement, the fire department, Department of Children and Family Services, Probation, Las Candelas and PickUp USA Fitness.

Located adjacent to JPL, Hathaway-Sycamores’ El Nido residential campus is home to some 50 boys from 6 to 18 years old at any given time. All of the boys are in the foster care system, and campus programs include Foster Care and Adoption Services, Shelter Care and out-of- home care for boys with severe challenges that prevent them from living safely at home. The youth who come to El Nido are at a critical crisis point in their lives as many have suffered from trauma, abuse or neglect in the past. The caring staff at El Nido is dedicated to helping the youth turn the situation around and to create more promising futures. The boys live in cottages on a 5-acre campus, where relatives, clinicians and case workers work together to reunite them with family.

Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services is a highly respected mental health and welfare agency with 10 locations throughout Southern California. For over 115 years, Hathaway-Sycamores has been investing in people. We provide innovative and effective programs and services through a network of locations stretching across Los Angeles and the San Fernando, San Gabriel, and Antelope Valleys for children, youth, young adults, and families facing serious life challenges. Our highly effective behavioral health services impact more than 12,000 lives annually. Services include: residential treatment; transitional shelter care; foster care and adoption; transitional living assistance for emancipated foster youth; outpatient and school-based mental health services; wraparound/in-home services; psychiatric services; psychological testing; educational support services; and after-school tutoring/enrichment. Hathaway-Sycamores is licensed by the Community Care Licensing Division of the California Department of Social Services, certified by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, LAHSA funded and accredited through The Joint Commission. To learn more, visit http://www.hathaway-sycamores.org.